Ideas to tackle the existential threat of global warming

Suggestions by delegates at the World Bank’s recent Innovate4Climate event in Singapore included: Supporting developing countries in their efforts to conserve the forests, and launching more incubators for climate-friendly solutions. 

Delegates spoke to Eco-Business between sessions on plastic waste, lessons for Asia in the implementation of a carbon tax and other topics.

 Support developing countries in their efforts to conserve the forests. Launch more incubators for climate-friendly solutions. Find ways to make saving energy fun.

Delegates at the recent Innovate4Climate event by the World Bank Group had no shortage of ideas to tackle the threat of global warming.

Held earlier this month for the first time in Asia, Innovate4Climate was a partner event of Ecosperity Week, presented by investment firm Temasek at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre.

Focusing on climate finance, investment and markets, Innovate4Climate brought together financial and technology experts, policymakers and youths.

Delegates attended sessions on plastic waste, lessons for Asia in the implementation of a carbon tax, and opportunities and challenges in green bonds for financial institutions, among other topics.

Eco-Business asked attendees to share an idea on innovating for the climate during the breaks between talks and workshops. 

Journalist Athar Parvaiz, who is from India, called for a return to more traditional methods of carrying everyday items, before single-use plastic bags and containers became ubiquitous and a major source of pollution.

Brian Williams, Asia director of San Francisco-headquartered company Wildlife Works, wanted forests and wildlife protected through REDD+ programmes, which should also support local communities. REDD+, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, is a climate change mitigation strategy introduced by the United Nations to incentivise developing countries to conserve their forests. Wildlife Works develops and manages REDD+ programmes.

For environmental consultant Matthias Gelber, the solution lies with schoolchildren.

“My idea to innovate for climate is to mobilise schoolchildren here in Singapore and beyond, to help their families reduce their electricity bills, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, and get rewarded for it by actually gamifying the whole thing,” he said.

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